Doctor, will I ever adhere again?

April 3, 2006 11:35 AM

Naught but a month-and-a-half after purchase, near-daily usage of my self-adhering athletic tape has left it unable to adhere to itself. I've been wrapping it around my feet and shins. Is there any way to get its grip back or do I have to purchase more?
posted by schroedinger to health & fitness (12 comments total)

im confused as to what exactly you purchased. Isnt all tape, by definition, self-adhering? I assume you are not simply using normal fabric athletic tape over and over again since it costs about $.50 a roll. any kind of link to the product you are refering to?
posted by I_am_jesus at 12:10 PM on April 3, 2006

Oh, I've seen those around. Always wondered how long they'd last. Is the contact surface frayed/fuzzy? If so, are the unfrayed parts still sticky?

If that's the case, maybe trim off the fuzzy lengths...
posted by PurplePorpoise at 12:41 PM on April 3, 2006

Wow, month-and-a-half seems quick. i always fish those rolls out of the bottom of a bathroom drawer, when they are in that "the adhesive is gummy but not really sticky anymore" phase, but that is an indeterminate number of years later. Not that I have ever measured their half-life.

Do you carry the tape in a gym bag or take it around with you anywhere? I am wondering if it has been exposed to humidity or gotten wet (locker room?)
posted by misterbrandt at 1:05 PM on April 3, 2006

i_am_jesus: Self-Adhering bandage. Mine didn't come with care instrutions.

misterbrandt: I walk around on the tape a lot and exercise with it on. I roll it up and keep it on my desk when I'm not using it. The ends are looking kind of grayish and have lost their tacky stiffness, but I don't know if cutting them off will help as the rest of the bandage doesn't really stick to itself either.

Would washing help? Can this be washed?
posted by schroedinger at 1:20 PM on April 3, 2006

If that is the stretchy thick-crepe-paper feeling stuff it's only designed to be used once.
posted by fshgrl at 1:51 PM on April 3, 2006

I very much doubt this stuff was designed to be used every day for six weeks.
posted by jjg at 1:55 PM on April 3, 2006

If it's the silicone-tacky stuff, isopropanol (25%, 75% water) and a little soap and water might bring back tackiness.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 2:02 PM on April 3, 2006

If that is the stretchy thick-crepe-paper feeling stuff it's only designed to be used once.

- also, if its that type, you can get it at feed stores (for horses) much cheaper. and fun colors, too. this was a hot tip from my podiatrist.
posted by pinky at 2:08 PM on April 3, 2006

That's (the crepe-like stuff) generally called Coban. Note that it can be other colors than flesh-toned (often blue), despite the linked article (who knew there was a dressings.org?). Coban is actually a trademark of 3M, who makes the most amazxing stuff--but just like scotch tape, etc., it's been genericized.

It also doesn't generally last a month. That's pretty amazing if true.
posted by RikiTikiTavi at 3:30 PM on April 3, 2006

It is the crepe stuff. Crazy, I bought it 'cause I figured it to be a long-lasting alternative to the cloth bandages.
posted by schroedinger at 6:48 PM on April 3, 2006

I know this stuff as Vet Wrap (or is it just humble vet wrap?). My mom used to buy it for her horses. I grabbed a few rolls at PetSmart for cheap and threw them under my bathroom sink with my other first aid stuff.

They sometimes use this stuff to hold the cotton ball / gauze pad on your arm after they take blood. It can be torn to any length. I am betting the sold-for-humans varieties cost a lot more than the sold-for-horses types, because they can get away with it.

Last time I had blood taken, they used the worst, most inhumane form of tape ever devised by man on me. It took off a layer of skin when removed and left me with welts. Next time, I am taking my own frickin vet wrap and insisting they use that on me. Lesson learned.

Anyway, it's handy stuff!
posted by beth at 7:24 PM on April 3, 2006

By the way, non-sticky "Ace" cloth bandages (the kind that come with a metal fastener) are machine-washable and reusable.
posted by mbrubeck at 8:15 PM on April 3, 2006